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PODCAST

The Backline - An Improv Podcast

The Sonar Network

Canadian Comedy Award winners Rob Norman and Adam Cawley discuss weekly improv-based topics based on a theme. New episodes every Wednesday.

arts performing arts

All Episodes

52:03

Control

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/10/09

Built into the fabric of improv is going with the flow, not thinking ahead, and letting go of control. But being completely "out of control" isn't a good thing either? Why do some improvisers want to direct the scene, and others are happy to see what's around the corner? This week, Rob and Adam discuss the need to control what happens next and how to work around it.

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47:59

Teaching Your First Workshop

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/09/23

Eventually, every improv professional needs to teach their first class. But what about? How do you pick a topic? How do you make that workshop successful? Is there any pitfalss to avoid? In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss teaching your first workshop.

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57:03

The Problem with Strong Characters

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/09/23

Strong characters! It's whatever everyone wants to do onstage. But how do you do it? What's the difference between a strong characters and a cariacture? How do I avoid stereotypes? What do I do when I run out of things to say? In this episode, Rob and Adam go over techniques, tricks and tips for better characters.

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55:56

The Unteachables

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/08/16

Can improv be taught? What about funny? What about stage presence? What about "star power"? This episode Rob and Adam discuss what can and cannot be taught in the classroom and the mysterious, and amorphous qualities make for a great improviser.

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54:09

Sex, Lies, and Improv Videotape

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/08/16

This episode Rob and Adam discuss the powers of game tape, the shame of watching yourself, and how to challenge yourself to be a better player.

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45:25

Learn to Forget

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/08/09

Your first few improv classes you are bombarded with the rules. Then once you get comfortable, you might move onto longform structures, game of the scenes, and connections -- where once again you are immersed in hyper-technical and finnicky work. At a certain point, you have to let go of The Rules. This week, Rob and Adam discuss forgetting what you're learned and why its so important for your play.

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51:39

Questions Only

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/08/03

This week Rob and Adam open up the Backline Mail Bag to answer all your questions. If you have your own questions find us @thebackinepod on Instagram and drop us a line.

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69:59

A Comprehensive Guide to Short Games - Part One

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/07/24

This week Adam and Rob, use extensive metrics and data (definitely not just their opinion) to determine a complete ranking system for all shortform games. This episode details the secrets of making a perfect shortform show. Also: touring Finland, Sweden, and the American mid-west.

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54:58

This is Hard

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/07/11

Improv is supposed to be easy, comfortable, and fun. But what happens when improv gets hard? Should you quit? Should you work harder? What do you do when improv isn't fun anymore?

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55:40

Let's Get Negative

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/07/11

There are few things more taboo than going negative on an improv stage. But does negativity at the start of a scene preempt the possibility of a playable dynamic? What does it mean to go negative onstage and why do some improvisers love doing it?

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52:14

Teacher Fails

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/05/30

No training. No teaching experience. A classroom full of students. What could possibly go wrong? This week Rob and Adam discuss the challenges of teaching improv, their pet peeves in a classroom, and mistakes they've made along the way.

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60:22

Chemistry

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/05/21

Sometimes you step onstage with someone and it just feels right. Other times … it’s confusing, turbulent, and awkward. What makes for good chemistry onstage? What can you do if you’re struggling to connect with your Harold team?

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51:40

Between the Schools

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/05/09

Years ago, if you grew up in an "improv town" you would train at a local improv school and and learn from local instructors. Unless you moved cities or frequented comedy festivals, you didn’t have a chance to learn a different style or technique. Now more than ever it is possible to train with teachers from across the world. But what do you when you're playing with somoene who has radically different training than you?

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46:26

Your Partner is Cooking

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/04/25

What do you do when your parnter is COOKING, and you are clearly not? In this episode, Adam and Rob discuss how deal with a partner who seems to be dominating a scene and you feel stuck.

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47:29

Five Sweet Spots

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/04/25

In this episode, Rob and Adam discuss DEAFO - a new system for creating more dynamic, intersting stage pictures. Also on this episode, heightening through proximity, intentionally throwing your scene off-kilter, and Adam's pathological obsession with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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68:35

Crazytown

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/04/15

Amongst the many terms improvisers have invented to describe a bad scene, "Crazytown" might be the most evocative. This week Rob and Adam discuss scenes that try to do too much, too soon - and how to prevent your scenes from going off the rails.

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60:48

SOS (Save Our Scene)

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/04/03

Rob and Adam discuss what to do when a scene fails, how to fail gracefully, and how to get a struggling scene back on track. Also on the episode: recent travels across the US, Rob's artistic residency in Sweden, the best pizza and an adult love of trains.

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56:14

Inventing the Who What Where

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/02/28

In this epsiode, Rob and Adam discuss what to do if you are obligated to create the who, what, where in the first 30 seconds of your scene. How much information should you add? How much room should you leave for you partner to contribute? PLUS - an update from the Backline's recent experience with The Heat.

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59:00

350 - What Makes a Festival Fun?

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/01/17

This week Rob and Adam chat about improv festivals: how to run it, how to market it, and the small perks that make it all worthwhile. If you're in Vancouver for the week of January 24th - 27th, join both Rob and Adam for THE HEAT, and The Backline Improv Intensive (details found @thebacklinepodcast on Instagram).

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41:23

To Beatprov or Not to Beatprov

The Backline - An Improv Podcast ·

2024/01/12

This week, Rob and Adam discuss Beatprov, semi-scripted works, and improvising through a script. From marketing to technique to past formats - this episode covers it all.Also, The Backline will be travelling to Vancouver January 23rd to January 27th and running a longform intensive. Details can be found @thebacklinepodcast on Instagram or here:www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada--vancouver/backline/

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239 results

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